Town still stepping over walk controversy

The Red Cross owns a parcel and steps on Elm Ave. The group wants all pedestrian traffic stopped from crossing the property where the Town of Louisa took out the broken pavement and replaced it with turf.

The Town of Louisa began an investigation into the ownership of a stretch of deteriorating sidewalk on Elm Avenue in front of the old Haley High School and Daniel House in December.

The town had received several complaints about the declining condition of the sidewalk over the past few years.

During the December town council meeting, council member R. Garland Nuckols informed members that the sidewalk was caving in to the ditch and that the area was unsafe for citizens to walk on.

Council member Warren Gehle said he wanted the dilapidated sidewalk removed and sod put down in its place so people could continue to walk through the area safely.

Town Manager Brian Marks and Project Manager Brad Humphrey met with Region 10, owner of the old Haley High School and American Red Cross, which owns the Daniel House, regarding the sidewalk.

Region 10 granted permission to remove the sidewalk, fill in the void and restore the area with grass. American Red Cross also granted permission, but wanted the town to rope off the area and install a “No Trespassing” sign making it no longer available for residents to walk on.

At the March 19 town council meeting, Humphrey advised that the sidewalk was completely removed and turf placed down, and that soon they would be roping off the area.

Nuckols questioned Humphrey about no one being allowed to walk where the town had placed the turf. Humphrey confirmed, saying that it was not a public right-of-way, but private property.

Marks said he thought the intent of council was to remove the part of the sidewalk that was dangerous for potential slips, trips and falls.

Gehle said he had made a motion for the turf so people could walk on it, but did not realize the town was fixing the situation for the Red Cross. He commented that he thought it had been a waste of the town’s money.

Nuckols asked if this was an agreement made with Red Cross.

To read the entire story, see the april 4 edition of The Central Virginian.